Southeast Asia

And the day has come to wrap up my photo escapades from Malaysia. I became a little teary eyed throughout the editing process of this blog post. It was indeed one of the most magical trips that I’ve taken in quite a long time. A learning experience. It was an exploration of one’s roots. A reconnection with family that I feel I didn’t have a chance to experience fully in the past. A physical adjustment to weather and food choice. Learning to adapt is a strength that I find very useful to have. An eye opening vision to a place that is so different from home, but so familiar at the exact same time. That last part is something I can’t stress more, and it is why I encourage people to travel as much as they can when they are in their twenties. There’s so much to learn out there in the world. Endless stories to share, as long as we are ready and able to listen. And if we weren’t good listeners before, maybe it can help us become better. There are cultural traditions to borrow from and pass along; to compare and contrast with our own, possibly unlocking a door within ourselves to ideas we never before held or even though out. As individuals, we are each a very small yet extremely significant parts of the process of this thing called cultural diffusion. A sort of globalization of the mind on a personal level. Traveling is the best way to burst your bubble and see the world through the eyes of others. It’s a reminder that no matter where you are in your state in life, mentally and physically, the world goes round and round and round. And every single turn is just as important as the last.

Malacca City is a very special place indeed. I haven’t visited since I was a teenager, but the place still stood out clear in my mind since that visit. It was at the top of my list of places to come back to during my Malaysia trip. Malacca City is full of rich history and colorful diversity. This old city once had a major role in the trade routes, catching attention from all over the world, and especially that of Portugal, and then the Dutch and then the British, up until World War II when the Japanese invaded. It wasn’t until 1963 that Malaysia as a country declared its independence. So, as you can tell, there has been many stories told, and I’m sure many to tell, about this beautiful city. And the city, you can feel it as you walk through its streets full of restaurants and shops and temples, all the different sorts of feet and cultures that have made their ways down them, too. Malacca doesn’t work to hide its past, but embraces it so much as a matter of fact, that it’s inescapable in the present time. The smell of a type of food in the air, one that pulls ingredients from all over the world to create something so unique for our tastebuds. It’s hard not to salivate while walking the streets made up of Portuguese-style architecture. My favorite dish here is the Hainanese chicken and chicken rice. The city is actually known for their unique take on the chicken rice. Instead of served freshly steamed in a bowl, the rice is rolled into little balls that are to be eating as a whole after being be dipped into soy sauce, some chili sauce and maybe a dab of garlic. It’s something you can hardly find anywhere else in the world, and made as well done as it is made in Malacca, where the dish has been perfected through many generations time. The city is famous for snacks so delicious, it’s almost unimaginable that they could be real, and packaged in such an exquisite way. After the afternoon gloom broke up, the sunshine hit the buildings and the city seemed over-saturated in such a way that you feel you are walking around with tinted glasses on. It’s a city that feels perpetually rose-tinted, even when it rains. It’s undeniably amazing. The energy is wild, especially on the weekends, when tourists from other parts of Malaysia, not to mention from all over the world, explore the city and create their own path through it, leaving remnants to be built upon as time goes on. What a lovely thing to think about, ya?

When one is in Southeast Asia, anything flowing, oversized and breezy is a must. Because you will be sweating . . . all day. This country is though, in fact, a huge fan of air conditioning. But it isn’t something you can really rely on. You have to learn to love the heat. Not to mention the endless amounts of spicy foods to be found in the local Malaysia food scene. I can’t help but take everything hotter than hot with an extra side of spicier than spicy. In the South Indian culture, many dishes are served on top of a Banana Leaf, and it is one of my favorite things to eat when I’m visiting Malaysia. For those who haven’t tried it yet, make sure to come with a huge appetite and a strong stomach, because it’s A LOT of SPICY food. Banana leaf is actually an artistry, consisting of levels of portions and side dishes added to be eaten in a certain order and in certain combinations on top of the banana leaf. For me, I’m easy, and really pay no attention to a particular order. I only care about taste. And color. So a side of rice, red curry, a yellow lentil dahl and some spicy fried chicken and maybe some vegetable fritters to be dipped in a yogurt blend is good for me. This combination is everything. Just be careful not to splash any curry on your whites. That would be a nightmare, but also one that is well worth it.

Here I am, finally back after two weeks in Malaysia to visit family with a few days in Thailand thrown in. I didn’t forget about NYC while I was away I promise. Home is always at the back of my mind. But it’s crazy how familiar things and places can feel after much time away. As soon as my sister and I stepped foot in Malaysia to meet our mom who took a flight from California, it was as if no time had passed at all. And with our family members who we haven’t seen in around seven years, we just picked up as if we saw each other no more than just a week ago. One major difference with this trip was how much more open my eyes and senses were, recognizing new things that maybe I missed the last time I was there. But maybe it just had to do with how I have developed into an adult. Curious about what is around me in a different way before. I didn’t feel the need to rush through this trip, fitting in family meetings, sightseeing and a few work related meeting with much calm than I have ever done before on a trip. And it did help make the two weeks feel longer than it actually was. Our cousins now have kids themselves, and our family is growing and growing. It made me happy to see how extended this side of my family is. Relatives are moving to new homes in different pats of Kuala Lumpur, already showing us which rooms will be ours the next time we visit (which will hopefully be much sooner than later). My favorite foods my last trip are the exact same ones this time around. The local street food is the best . . . every bite, every smell. I wanted a taste of everything, and it tasted just as good as I remembered it to be. The most comforting of feelings. The food is one of the most unique things about Malaysia, the country in SouthEast Asia that is the most culturally diverse and also the most Western. So there is literally everything to choose from. It’s almost too hard to choose that I feel I have to pull a number out of a box and have that make a decision for me. Then there’s the way the warm, warm heat feels as soon as I step outside. It’s a tantalizing feeling, and makes me wish winter away forever and ever. Southeast Asia is such a part of me, and it will never be lost. Memories of my childhood trips in Malaysia told to me by my relatives are such a treat. They are now ingrained in my mind. My aunt made a good point, saying that if my mom wasn’t Chinese and raised in Malaysia, I maybe would never come to explore and know this country like I have throughout my lifetime so far. So I must be grateful to know that Malaysia is and was always here for me. I’m so proud of this part of me, mixed together with my American upbringing and roots, for I know it is something unique. And I’m always still learning about it more and more. It’s surprising me all the time. And that’s the best part. More to come from my trip to Malaysia very, very soon.